Stop sacrificing your sanitary finish to forklift damage.
For high-purity stainless steel tube manufacturers and metal service centers, the "scrape" of a fork tine against a polished 20ft bundle isn't just a noise—it's thousands of dollars in scrap. You need a system that eliminates the "dig," allows for 100% overhead crane access, and recovers 50% of your floor space. Discover the heavy-duty alternative to Rack Engineering designed specifically for precision metal inventory.
If you are managing inventory for a facility like GHWA or a high-end metal service center, you aren't just storing "metal." You are storing high-purity stainless steel tubes, sanitary fittings, and polished bar stock. These materials have strict surface finish requirements (Ra values) that cannot be compromised.
Standard static cantilever racks force you into a corner. To access a bundle of 316L tubing on the bottom level, your forklift operator has to shuffle the top three levels. This "double handling" drastically increases the risk of scratching, gouging, or bending the material. Furthermore, standard racks require massive 12-foot forklift aisles, wasting premium manufacturing floor space.
You might be looking for a Rack Engineering roll out rack competitor because you need a solution that offers the same robust, crank-out functionality but with better availability, customization for long-length items (20ft+), and a focus on protecting delicate surfaces.
Figure 1: Heavy-duty electric roll-out system handling multiple levels of heavy pipe bundles.
The core innovation of our Roll Out Cantilever Rack is the ability to extend the storage arm 100% out of the rack column. This transforms your storage workflow from a "side-load" operation (forklift) to a "top-load" operation (overhead crane).
Why does this matter for stainless steel tubing?
Standard steel racks are often too rough for sanitary or pharmaceutical-grade tubes. Our solution is engineered for the high-precision metal industry.
Figure 2: Organized storage with dividers, preventing mixed inventory and surface damage.
We offer optional UHMW (Ultra-High Molecular Weight) polyethylene lining on the cantilever arms. This plastic lining ensures your polished stainless steel or aluminum profiles rest on a soft surface, preserving the 15-20 Ra finish required for dairy or pharmaceutical applications.
Because the rack is loaded from the top via crane, you can reduce your aisle width from the standard 12-14 feet (required for a long-load forklift turn radius) down to just 6-7 feet (enough for a person to operate the crank). In a 10,000 sq. ft. warehouse, this can recover 5,000 sq. ft. for new laser cutters or additional inventory.
Whether you are storing heavy wall pipe or bundles of solid bar stock, the structural integrity of the rack is non-negotiable. Unlike lighter-duty shelving, our systems use structural H-beam bases and high-grade steel components.
Figure 3: Motorized systems available for high-frequency access and loads exceeding 6,600 lbs per level.
| Feature | Manual Crank-Out | Electric / Motorized |
|---|---|---|
| Load Capacity (Per Arm Level) | Up to 6,600 lbs (3,000 kg) | Up to 11,000 lbs (5,000 kg) |
| Arm Length (Usable Depth) | 20" to 48" | Customizable up to 60" |
| Rack Height | Up to 16 ft | Up to 20 ft |
| Material Length | 10ft, 20ft, 24ft (Customizable) | Unlimited (Modular Columns) |
| Operation Mode | Ergonomic Hand Crank (low torque) | Remote Control / Push Button |
While Rack Engineering is a well-known name in the US market, our solution offers a competitive edge in flexibility and specific adaptation for the precision metal industry. We don't just sell a "catalog item." We analyze your specific bundle sizes—whether it's OD 1" tubes or massive hollow structural sections—and configure the arm spacing to prevent deflection and sagging of your material.
Q1: Can we store 24-foot lengths of stainless steel tubing without them sagging?
Yes. The key is the number of columns (towers). For 24ft flexible tubing, we increase the number of columns to reduce the center-to-center distance, ensuring the material is supported evenly and preventing permanent deformation or bowing.
Q2: Is the crank mechanism hard to turn when fully loaded with 5,000 lbs of steel?
No. The system utilizes a high-reduction gear ratio and industrial-grade bearings. A single operator can extend a fully loaded arm with approximately 15-20 lbs of cranking force, meeting ergonomic standards.
Q3: How do you prevent the stainless steel from getting scratched by the steel arms?
We offer UHMW (Ultra-High Molecular Weight) plastic strips that are bolted onto the top of the cantilever arms. This ensures your sanitary tubes never touch painted or raw steel, keeping them scratch-free.
Q4: Can this system be installed against a wall?
Yes. We offer single-sided units perfect for wall placement. However, keep in mind that you need vertical clearance for your overhead crane to operate effectively above the extended drawers.
Q5: What is the lead time compared to domestic US manufacturers?
We pride ourselves on rapid manufacturing. While many domestic competitors have lead times extending to 12-16 weeks, we can often engineer, manufacture, and ship custom solutions significantly faster, helping you solve your storage bottleneck sooner.
